Harper County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Grant, on about 11% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Shellabarger and Nalim come next.
About 88% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 74% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 29% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 9% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 20% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Harper County, Kansas, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Harper County, Kansas. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Shellabarger fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Nalim loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nalim loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Woodward-Port complex, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pond Creek silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Crisfield sandy loam, rarely flooded | 22K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dale silt loam, rarely flooded | 20K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kirkland-Renfrow clay loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nashville silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pond Creek silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Woodward-Quinlan loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kingman clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 11K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lincoln loamy fine sand, occasionally flooded | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hayes-Solvay loamy fine sands, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Shellabarger fine sandy loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bethany silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kingfisher silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Aline-Derby fine sands, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Gerlane fine sandy loam, occasionally flooded | 7K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 29% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 74% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.